Public sector bosses have stressed that services in Kent will not be affected following the news of

It was today announced that the construction firm, which employs nearly 20,000 staff in the UK, has gone into liquidation as it racked up debts believed to be around £1.5 billion.

As well as being responsible for many large-scale construction projects, such as HS2, the firm has a number of significant public sector contracts, including hospitals and prisons in Kent.

But public sector bosses and government officials have been keen to state that those services currently supplied by Carillion will continue.

(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The 460-bed Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, which opened in 2000, was built by Carillion as part of a Private Finance Initiative which granted Carillion responsibility for some services at the hospital.

Carillion provides more than 300 staff at Darent Valley and is responsible for catering, cleaning, portering, maintenance, switchboard, reception, logistics and security at the hospital.

A spokesman for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, the body responsible for the hospital, sought to alleviate the fears of patients at the hospital.

He said: “In common with a number of NHS trusts, we use Carillion PLC to provide some services at Darent Valley Hospital, such as maintenance, catering, portering, cleaning and security.

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Carillion also has contracts with nine prisons in Kent, including HMP Elmey in the Isle of Sheppey and HMP Maidstone, giving them responsibility for building maintenance work at the sites.

Rt Hon David Lidington, CBE MP Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, today assured people that the government will ensure all public sector services remain in place following the insolvency of Carillion PLC.

He said: “It is of course disappointing that Carillion has become insolvent, but our primary responsibility has always been keep our essential public services running safely.

“We understand that some members of the public will be concerned by recent news reports. For clarity – All employees should keep coming to work, you will continue to get paid.

“Staff that are engaged on public sector contracts still have important work to do.”